International Literature: Soldier Bear

Soldier Bear

A Review by Amanda Kendall

Bibliography:

Tak, Bibi Dumon. 2013. Soldier Bear. Illustrated by Philip Hopman. Translated by Laura Watkinson. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-0802854360

 

Plot Summary:

In the midst of World War II, a very unexpected friendship develops. The story begins when a group of Polish soldiers discover a young boy with a Syrian brown bear cub in his bag. Concerned that he will end up in a circus or worse, the soldiers trade a penknife for the cub. They load him in the truck and return to camp with their new friend. The bear, named Voytek, quickly wins over the Commander and is allowed to stay with the unit. For the next five years, Voytek travels with the unit through multiple countries winning the hearts of all those he meets. He becomes a friend, a mascot, and a fellow soldier to the entire unit. He joins them on missions and even carries ammunition. His silly antics and lovable personality keep up the morale of the entire unit and help the soldiers cope with the harsh realities of war. This is not a story about war, but rather a story of friendship between some soldiers and a remarkable bear.

Critical Analysis:

Originally published in the Netherlands, Soldier Bear tells the story of one bear who brought joy to many during a dark and difficult time. Tak blends historical fact with relatable storytelling flawlessly to craft a compelling tale for younger audiences. The first few chapters offer the background of how this unlikely group of friends came together including Voytek (the bear) and Peter, Stanislav, Janusz, Pavel, and Lolek (the Polish soldiers). Each subsequent chapter tells Voytek's story highlighting his escapades around camp, his ongoing feud with Kaska (a monkey), and his loyalty to his friends. Tak's writing is clear and relatable, perfect for younger audiences. By centering Voytek in the story, Tak tells a unique piece of history without the need for extensive background knowledge of World War II or the Polish Armed Forces. He is able to share difficult truths about war in age appropriate ways through the soldiers experiences and memories mixed with Voytek's silliness. Voytek keeps the story light. His antics bring joy and laughter to his unit and the reader alike.

Hopman's soft pencil illustrations compliment the text throughout the novel. From the small bear sketches in the corners of pages to full page drawings of important events, Hopman's subtle style of art brings the story to life. Maps showing the movement of characters throughout the story are also included. Both the illustrations and maps support young readers with their understanding of the story in subtle yet effective ways.

 

Tak and Hopman are both from the Netherlands, but the main characters in this story are Polish.  All the characters, Voytek included, are portrayed as genuine people and friends. They do not always get along and tease each other frequently, but they also demonstrate loyalty to each other and their beloved bear. Although the setting of the story is mostly Pakistan and Italy, the Polish culture surrounds these characters. Polish names are used throughout the story and although the soldiers are part of a British army unit, they give their bear cub a Polish name - Voytek, meaning smiling warrior. Poland is also world famous for their vodka and it serves as an important Polish cultural marker within the story. As a cub, Voytek drinks his milk out of vodka bottle regularly. He is also given a large amount of vodka before he meets the C.O. of the first camp so he will appear docile and cute. He ends up drunk and acting quite silly, but still wins over the C.O. and is allowed to stay. Tak maintains the Polish identify of the soldiers is throughout the story. 

 

The book did not include a list for further reading or a list of references used to write the story. As a narrative based on historical events, copious amounts of research must have been done to write the story with authenticity. I was disappointed that none of these resources were included.

Review Excerpts & Awards: 

 

BOOKLIST (October 15, 2011) "Tak offers an engaging story of grown-up protagonists and situations, focusing on Voytek's exploits and his interactions with a menageries of other animals. Hopman's expressive grease-pencil illustrations add to the story's accessibility, grounding the proceedings with charm."

KIRKUS REVIEWS (August 15, 2011) "Funny, fresh and heartwarming, it doesn't ignore the horrors of war but concentrates on the joy of having an animal friend, albeit a difficult one. Readers of any age do no to know anything about the complicated history of the Polish free forces or even World War II to enjoy this tale of 'a friend and a mascot who made the war easier to bear.'"

• Mildred L. Batchelder Award Winner, 2012
  
• USBBY Selection, 2012
• ALA Notable Children's Book, 2012

Curricular Connections: 

• Create a poster advertisement for Voytek at the Edinburgh Zoo. Encourage students to include Voytek's special skills, background, and history on the poster. 
• Voytek was never forgotten because his image was added to his unit's logo. Design a new logo for the Polish unit that includes Voytek and other elements from the story.
  
• Pair with an informational text on Syrian brown bears. Have students work in groups to learn more about Syrian brown bears including their physical characteristics, habitat, and status as an endangered animal. 
• Voytek was friends with a variety of other animals including a monkey and a dalmatian. Pair with other texts, like Owen & Mzee, to read about other unexpected animal friendships. 
  

International Literature: Cannonball

Cannonball

A Review by Amanda Kendall

Bibliography:

Cotter, Sacsha. 2020. CANNONBALL. Illustrated by Josh Morgan. Naperville, Illinois: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky. ‎ ISBN 978-1728217567

 

Plot Summary:

In New Zealand, nothing brings kids greater joy than doing the perfect cannonball in the summer. But perfection is not easily achieved. In CANNONBALL, one young boy seeks out the advice of people around town to elevate his cannonball to legendary status. He attempts to incorporate everyone's well meaning advice from bigger shorts to more height, but he just can't seem to get it right. After a defeating cannonball turned belly-flop, he goes to his Nan who advises him to listen to his heart and find a way to do it his own way. Finding his voice gives him the courage to make the perfect splash!

Critical Analysis:

In an explosion of summer, Cannonball's lively illustrations, rhythmic text, and celebration of individuality make this book an overall crowd-pleaser. Cotter's text is highly interactive. The first person point of view invites the reader to experience the story right along with the protagonist. Pages alternate between those that follow a distinct rhythm and rhyming pattern and others that don't. Awkward at first, this irregularity is critical to the flow of the text and highlights the emotions the characters experiences throughout the story. After every disappointment, the text swings back to a happy,cheerful rhyme encouraging both the boy and the reader not to give up. Cotter's repetitive use of the boy's chant before jumping in the water shows his evolution as a character. While the words remain the same, the voice that he uses to express those words builds along with his confidence. Paired beautifully with the pictures, the final chant begs to be screamed as the boy leaps into the water doing a perfect cannonball his own way!

Morgan's illustrations capture of the joy of summer. His choice of vivid colors and unique texture backgrounds make each page a visual delight. The inclusion of math symbols, tools, numbers, and grid paper background on the first few pages cleverly conveys the complexity of the perfect cannonball and the boy's dedication as he thinks about it from every angle. This attention to detail continues through the variety of illustrations in the book. Some are full page color. Some are a collection of smaller images mashed together. Many pages have a simple white background, focusing the reader's attention on the characters while other full page spreads capture the beauty and vibrancy of New Zealand. The boy's final fabulous cannonball is brilliantly broken into a four panel spread. Following this slow motion cannonball is a magnificent double page SPLASH that requires the reader to turn the book vertically to see it.

Cannonball is a celebration of New Zealand and the Maori people, the indigenous Polynesian people of the New Zealand mainland. The characters are authentic and true. The boy's hair is pulled back in a traditional Maori bun and the necklace he wears is a traditional jade Maori necklace. The design is a manaia or spirit creature which symbolizes a spiritual guardian. Maori words are used throughout the story including a postcard that reads "Nga Mihi" which means greetings for the new year. Manu (meaning bird) and puku (meaning stomach) are both used within the text as well. Cotter even provides a glossary of Moari words and types of dives in the back of the book for the reader. The unique setting of New Zealand is captured in the illustrations in big and small ways. Morgan's illustrations include a wide array of plants and animals found only in New Zealand. The New Zealand Kingfisher bird makes multiple appearances throughout the story with its highly recognizable coloring and markings. The boy is seen sitting in a New Zealand Christmas Tree and red flowers from the Pohutukawa tree along with the yellow kowhai flowers are both a part of the boy's final cannonball ensemble. Lastly tauparapara or chants are used by the Maori people to pass on knowledge. The boy's cannnonball chant is another example of the Maori tradition embedded in the story.

 

Cannonball wins over the reader a little more with each subsequent read. The ideas of being yourself and finding your voice are strong themes and well executed, but it is the vivacious illustrations and sometimes silly but fun text that make this book pure joy to read aloud!

Review Excerpts & Awards:
 

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (June 1, 2020) "Along with the expressive images, the story will resonate with those learning how to navigate the emotional minefield of turning a failure into a success."

KIRKUS REVIEWS (May 1, 2020) "This distinctive story of summer fun and growth, set within a culture underrepresented on North American shelves, carries a universal message of listening to one’s own heart and being oneself when the world tries to tell you how and who to be."

• USBBY Selection, 2021
  

Curricular Connections: 

• In CANNONBALL, the boy has a chant he says before each cannonball attempt. Have students write a new chant that inspires them to listen to their voice and gives them the courage to try something new.
• Have students think about the advice they have been given in the past. Who gave good advice? Who gave poor advice? Discuss how you know if it is good or bad advice? How do you know whose advice to follow?
• Share the glossary at the back of the book that includes Maori words. Have students research more about New Zealand and the Maori people using online resources.
  

International Literature: Koala Lou

Koala Lou

A Review by Amanda Kendall

Bibliography:

Fox, Mem. 1989. Koala Lou. Illustrated by Pamela Lofts. Orlando: Voyager Books. ‎ ISBN ‎ 978-0440846512

Plot Summary:

Koala Lou is loved and adored by everyone in her world, especially her mother who takes every opportunity to tell her "Koala Lou, I DO love you" (Fox 1989). But as the years go by, Koala Lou's family continues to grow until her mother no longer has the time to tell her how much she loves her. Devastated and hurt that she has lost her mother's love, Koala Lou sets off to win it back. She trains for the gum tree climbing event in the upcoming Bush Olympics. On the day of the big event, Koala Lou gives a very impressive performance but still comes in second place. She runs off to hide and cry. She returns home to find her mother waiting to embrace her in a giant hug and the comforting words she longed to hear, "Koala Lou, I DO love you" (Fox 1989).

Critical Analysis:

Koala Lou is filled with universal truths that will resonate with readers young and old. It captures common feelings of older siblings: feelings of losing the affection of someone you love; feelings of being replaced or pushed aside; feelings of working hard and still falling short and; feelings of coming home to find comfort. It is more than a simple story about a koala.

 

Fox's lyrical text is expertly paced. Each page has a small to moderate amount of text with just the right dose of repetition to keep even the youngest readers engaged. Fox effortlessly weaves simple sentences with complex to create an accessible story for her young readers. The repeated use of the line, "Koala Lou, I DO love you" brings continuity throughout the story and clearly conveys the power of a mother's unconditional love. Mem Fox honors the big feelings of her young readers through Koala Lou's thoughts, actions, and lessons learned along the way.

Lofts' detailed illustrations are both vibrant and soft at the same time. The blends of colors and texture soften the images to match the sweetness of the text, yet the occasional use of bright pink, orange, and purple make the images pop off the page.  The white background strategically focuses the reader's attention on the character's facial expressions and emotions throughout the story to make Koala Lou even more relatable to her readers. Splashes of bright color are added into trees, flowers, and the animal's accessories (specifically hats) capturing the magic and celebration of the Australian outback. 

Cultural markers for this text are beautifully woven into the rich story through the illustrations. Set in the Australian outback the illustrations include a wide variety of fauna native only to Australia including the koala, kookaburra, Tasmanian devil, platypus, echidna, emu, and more. Lofts took great care to capture the flora of Australia as well including the very recognizable red flowering gum tree, kangaroo paw, and old man banksia. With the exception of the colorful hats worn by the animals, every image reflects the unique Australian landscape. Fox adds to the authenticity of the story by including  an Australian colloquialism, "How're ya goin'?" and using meters to measure the distance Koala Klaws and Koala Lou climb on the gum tree. Together, the illustrations and the text, prove to be a celebration of the Australian landscape and culture, while offering a story that resonates with readers across the globe.

 

Review Excerpts & Awards:
 

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (August 11, 1989) "Koala Lou celebrates the eternal love of a mother for her child without the sentimentality of Robert Munsch's Love You Forever."

KIRKUS REVIEWS (1989) "This satisfying reworking of a familiar and ever-important theme is appealingly illustrated--bright colors, soft-edged sculptural forms, precise detail, dozens of expressive animals. Another winning import from one of Australia's favorite authors." 

 

• KOALA Children's Choice Awards Shortlist, 1999 (10 years)
  

Curricular Connections: 

• Pair with an informational text on koalas for some partner research or whole class learning. 
• Conduct a koala directed drawing lesson encouraging students to use a variety of hues to color their koala like the illustrations from Pamela Lofts.
• Research Australian flora and fauna to identify the animals and plants used in the illustrations.
  
• Highlight the importance of sportsmanship and hard work while playing a variety of Minute to Win It games with a Bush Olympics theme.
•  Share the background story of Koala Lou from Mem Fox's website and facilitate a discussion about how writers get ideas, develop their stories, and revise their work.